1: Minisink Valley must establish its running game after relying almost exclusively on Louie Walther in 2010. Walther delivered, rushing for a school-record 1,360 yards, but the Warriors will need contributions from several backs this season, including Rommel Brantley and Tim Tyner, deemed Thunder and Lightning. Tyner appears to be a breakaway threat who could produce big plays, while Brantley should gain yardage between the tackles. They will have room to run with a strong line paving the way.

2: Getting good play from quarterback Ryan Callaghan is crucial to the Warriors' success. A senior, Callaghan almost won the job last preseason before Drew Hansen managed to hold on. Callaghan had a great offseason, coach Kevin Gallagher said, and brings to the table a strong arm and a terrific aptitude for the game. Gallagher said Minisink Valley's success will hinge in large part on “how fast (Callaghan) comes along, and I think he's going to come along real fast. Getting out of the gate will be key for us.”

3: Minisink Valley must stay healthy, after suffering some key losses to injuries last season, including talented defensive end Johnny Brain, now a senior. He missed every game but the opener after breaking three bones in his spinal cord during the team's preseason intrasquad scrimmage. Brain played the season opener in pain but was shut down afterward. He hoped to return to the team by midseason until he learned the bones had healed only 45 percent.

2010 REVIEW

Lost five of final six games.Louie Walther set a school record with 1,360 yards rushing.Kyle Cazzetta kicked a Section 9-record 52-yard field goal.Went 3-3 in games that were up for grabs in the final minute. Says head coach Kevin Gallagher: “It was an exciting season for fans but heart-wrenching for us. We could have been 7-2 instead of 4-5.''Went 3-0 before starting a slide with a heartbreaking 35-32 home loss to Valley Central.

THEY SAID IT

“We want to clear our record, being 4-5. It's going to motivate us this year. We went 4-5 last year, and we are not going to do that again.”NOAH LAKESenior offensive tackle

“In early August, a week before the start of preseason practice, our team was further along than we were during two-a-days after a week of practice last season. There has been a lot more structure, especially in the weight room. There's been no fooling around for the most part. It's just been better all-around. We've moved up a level from last year.''TYLER ROBERTSSenior offensive guard

BY THE NUMBERS

8: starters being replaced on both sides of the ball.50: players in a day (25 per session) who typically showed up for offseason conditioning.59: total points scored in final two games without a win.83: total points allowed in final two games.